More Rambling Experiences

We stopped at a mobile cart in Patong and Kaun asked me if I wanted tea. Now I have always been a gin and tonic sort of guy in preference to tea in hot humid conditions, so declined the offer. However the tea on offer here is iced tea. It’s made from a very strong sweet brew which is filtered into a milkshake type container filled with ice and tinned milk poured over the top and drunk with a straw. I tried it and found it delicious.

The moral of the story….your preconceptions are often wrong in Thailand. Try anything new, within reason!

THE POWER CORD

The power to the washing machine in the villa had died so we called into a big electrical store in Patong to get an extension cord to run power from the villa to the laundry.

Now if you’re thinking laundry, or utility room for any Poms reading as I know from watching Escape to the Country, you’d be wrong. This is a machine stuck under the eves on the side of the villa. Very simple like a Thai kitchen, which is often just a wok burner and a sink under a tin roof out the back. All you need really. You read on the forums of foreigners bemoaning the fact that it’s near impossible to get an oven as standard over here. Poor things. No roast, three veg and a self saucing chocolate pudding for dessert on Sunday. Have left subject……

The electrical store was full of all the usual things, except for GPS which seems to be a non-event for Thais, and also full of staff standing around looking very bored.

The funny thing was that when we went to pay there was only one checkout. So fifty people hanging around and one person at the exit. This is where Thai-time happens. You either get frustrated or just relax and check out the people.

THE POOL MAN

The swimming pool at the villa had lost power along with the laundry, as the pool filter and power board sit next to the washing machine! I called the owners and four people turned up in response. One guy, who it turned out knew what he was doing, one other miscellaneous guy and two observers.

The pool man came with a full tool kit comprised of a small screwdriver and a rusty wrench thingee and not much else. He hopped into the maintenance pit next to the pool and the power switch was turned on at the fuse box which promptly resulted in a loud bang and sparks and smoke from the pit. This was seen as very funny for all involved, although the guy standing in water in the pit may have found it amusing at a slightly reduced level. Anyway he obviously had good Buddha merit points because no harm was done.

Mysterious things were done and much chat happened and suddenly power was restored and the pool was back in action.

MOBILE LADYBOY STORE

It is no wonder that ladyboys are so slim. They mustn’t eat because all their money goes on clothes, shoes and makeup plus saving for physical enhancements of course.

An evening in the bar isn’t complete without the arrival of motorbike based clothing sellers with gear aimed at the voracious appetite of ladyboys for the latest outfit.

Dresses are produced, passed around and there is debate about their merits (I presume). Last night a shoe store arrived and the sizes looked a little large for tiny Thai women.

I offer to buy Kaun a dress but she dismissed it promptly with a rather contemptuous “for ladyboy” so no brownie points earned for Tony on that exchange.

I have written previously on the bar scene and that it, along with many other businesses, forms the centre of these people’s lives. The mix between socialising, day to day living and work is pretty blurred.